Obituary: Lefriec, Kathryn “Kay
Kay was born to Frank and Esther Jiran August 31, 1920 in Groton, South Dakota.
Kay entered this world into a railroad family, punctuated by her mother giving birth in the upstairs room of the Groton train depot.
Her mother died of tuberculosis when Kay was eight years old requiring her to move in with the Ed Klamper family.
This allowed her father to maintain his valued depression era job as a railroad switchman for the Milwaukee Railroad.
The Klampers became a second family to Kay and were life long friends.
Kay went to college at nearby University of Minnesota, graduating with a degree in business.
Among other exceptional office skills, Kay had wonderful shorthand and worked as a court stenographer.
An adventure out west found Kay in Moses Lake, Washington where she went to work for Frank Le Friec who was the owner at Moses Lake Ford.
Frank turned out to be the love of her life and they were married February 24, 1950.
They moved to Spokane shortly thereafter where they made their life and raised their family.
Along with being a devoted wife, mother and homemaker, Kay was involved in a number of community and volunteer organization including being a long time member of the PEO Chapter AZ, Morning Star Boys Ranch Women’s Auxiliary and Our Lady of Fatima Church.
Kay loved boating with her family on Pend Oreille Lake and later Puget Sound.
She loved to knit, play bridge, read novels and just spend time with her family.
She was a member of Manito Country Club for over 50 years.
She had a great sense of humor which was often commented on by her care givers in her final years.
Kay is preceded in death by her husband Frank Le Friec (1991) and her father and stepmother Frank and Edna Jiran.
She is survived by her three children Frankie (Randy) Heiskell of Missoula, Montana, Fred (Julie) Le Friec and John (Terri) Le Friec of Spokane, her sister Jaci (Aubrey) Bain of Norman Oklahoma, six grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
There will be a private grave side service followed by a celebration of life reception at Manito Country Club Friday May 1st from 3:00-5:30PM.
Memorials can be sent to Hospice of Spokane.
To view Kay’s online memorial, please visit www.hennesseyfuneralhomes.com.